FM TALK/NEWS: WOULD IT WORK? THOUGHTS...

[musicfan101]

I hear what YOU are saying but regardless, ChannelFlipper and a few others on this board are [EDIT]
I find it tragic how those who were in the industry or still are but completely old are so out of touch with the way radio operates today. You along with others feel that all of radio needs to be automated be repetitive, and all stations need to be a top 40 format to be successful.

No one finds anything wrong with that?!? The problem with radio consultants and programmers today is that you guys still chase older demos and please their needs. You guys always completely ignore what the younger demographic wants, all of you guys say that radio will be here, but still you stick the middle finger up to those who want to see radio have a successful future.

You guys know people are tired of repetition, and yet consultants and programmers still choose to go that route. Companies never seem to take a chance with "niche" formats, they are given crappy signals and not much invested in them!

In short, the ---- with that constant one-line joke "It's nothing personal, it's just business!"


[EDIT-namecalling]

 

[michael hagerty]

I hear what YOU are saying but regardless, ChannelFlipper and a few others on this board are [EDIT]
I find it tragic how those who were in the industry or still are but completely old are so out of touch with the way radio operates today. You along with others feel that all of radio needs to be automated be repetitive, and all stations need to be a top 40 format to be successful.

No one finds anything wrong with that?!? The problem with radio consultants and programmers today is that you guys still chase older demos and please their needs. You guys always completely ignore what the younger demographic wants, all of you guys say that radio will be here, but still you stick the middle finger up to those who want to see radio have a successful future.

You guys know people are tired of repetition, and yet consultants and programmers still choose to go that route. Companies never seem to take a chance with "niche" formats, they are given crappy signals and not much invested in them!

In short, the ---- with that constant one-line joke "It's nothing personal, it's just business!"


[EDIT-namecalling]

I'm tempted to give up on you, Muiscfan..especially if you can argue with a straight face that radio ignores what younger people want (CBS traded 25-54 for 12-34 by flipping KLSX to AMP...and went top 5 in the process), but I gotta try once more. So here goes.

You win. You get to run CBS Los Angeles. Five FMs, two AMs. What would you do? Formats...talent...be specific. More to the point, how would you be profitable? The livelihoods of hundreds of your employees and their families rest on your choices...and your stockholders demand results.

I'll be the ad agencies and stockholders and will play as long as you want..

 

[musicfan101]

You know I shouldn't have said ignoring all young people, but the young people who want formats that are not repetitive and do what every other station is doing. You guys who are consultants or programmers or whatever industry just assume that all a younger demo wants and needs are at least 5 stations playing Top 40, or having a tight 200 song playlist!

If I were running CBS L.A., I would leave KCBS, KROQ, KRTH, KLSX, KNX alone! The two stations that are missing are KFWB, and KTWV. What would I do with the two: sell KFWB (since there is just no sense in having two stations in the same cluster compete against one another) and flip KTWV to AMP since that station chases the older demo, and is already on the downward spiral in terms of profitablity! I'm honestly not sure what KRTH's target demo is, but in terms of the other stations, the ads I'm buying are ads targeted towards males!

 

[michael hagerty]

If I were running CBS L.A., I would leave KCBS, KROQ, KRTH, KLSX, KNX alone! The two stations that are missing are KFWB, and KTWV. What would I do with the two: sell KFWB (since there is just no sense in having two stations in the same cluster compete against one another) and flip KTWV to AMP since that station chases the older demo, and is already on the downward spiral in terms of profitablity! I'm honestly not sure what KRTH's target demo is, but in terms of the other stations, the ads I'm buying are ads targeted towards males!

Alright, Musicfan! We're off to a constructive start here!

One thing, though...it's December, 2009. The deal here is that you're replacing the folks in charge at CBS, Los Angeles today. So, you're inheriting the chain with 97.1 as AMP. It's #5 with a 3.7. KFWB is also now a talk station, tied for 38th with a 0.7.

Let me know how/if that changes your plan.

Also a question: What do you mean by "The ads I'm buying are ads targeted towards males"?

 

[SuperRadioFan]

I would leave KCBS, KROQ, KRTH, KLSX, KNX alone! ..... flip KTWV to AMP since that station chases the older demo,

???? No more "KLSX" it's now KAMP, so I guess what you meant to say is "I would have left KCBS, KROQ, KRTH, KLSX, KNX alone!"

 

[musicfan101]

I would leave KCBS, KROQ, KRTH, KLSX, KNX alone! ..... flip KTWV to AMP since that station chases the older demo,

???? No more "KLSX" it's now KAMP, so I guess what you meant to say is "I would have left KCBS, KROQ, KRTH, KLSX, KNX alone!"

Yeah, that's what I meant lol. Note, I was upset when I posted that, shocked I didn't do more typos...

 

[musicfan101]

If I were running CBS L.A., I would leave KCBS, KROQ, KRTH, KLSX, KNX alone! The two stations that are missing are KFWB, and KTWV. What would I do with the two: sell KFWB (since there is just no sense in having two stations in the same cluster compete against one another) and flip KTWV to AMP since that station chases the older demo, and is already on the downward spiral in terms of profitablity! I'm honestly not sure what KRTH's target demo is, but in terms of the other stations, the ads I'm buying are ads targeted towards males!

Alright, Musicfan! We're off to a constructive start here!

One thing, though...it's December, 2009. The deal here is that you're replacing the folks in charge at CBS, Los Angeles today. So, you're inheriting the chain with 97.1 as AMP. It's #5 with a 3.7. KFWB is also now a talk station, tied for 38th with a 0.7.

Let me know how/if that changes your plan.

Also a question: What do you mean by "The ads I'm buying are ads targeted towards males"?

Now, I would have no choice but to keep KAMP since it's here and doing well. I could do things, either resurrect the abandoned hot talk format on KFWB, or bring it back to FM on KTWV and bring "The Wave" format to HD-2. Although, moving the format to AM would possibly bring younger demos, and make it a "unique" station among the L.A. dial.

Another reason why I would prefer FM is because supposedly, AM 980 has a weak signal?

 

[radiojomo]

Although, moving the format to AM would possibly bring younger demos, and make it a "unique" station among the L.A. dial.

No young demos listen to AM radio unless you're talking about Radio Disney. A Hot Talk format that costs millions and millions of dollars to run would NEVER EVER work on the AM dial.

 

[musicfan101]

Yeah, that's true...what COULD actually save KFWB?

 

[michael hagerty]

If I were running CBS L.A., I would leave KCBS, KROQ, KRTH, KLSX, KNX alone! The two stations that are missing are KFWB, and KTWV. What would I do with the two: sell KFWB (since there is just no sense in having two stations in the same cluster compete against one another) and flip KTWV to AMP since that station chases the older demo, and is already on the downward spiral in terms of profitablity! I'm honestly not sure what KRTH's target demo is, but in terms of the other stations, the ads I'm buying are ads targeted towards males!

Alright, Musicfan! We're off to a constructive start here!

One thing, though...it's December, 2009. The deal here is that you're replacing the folks in charge at CBS, Los Angeles today. So, you're inheriting the chain with 97.1 as AMP. It's #5 with a 3.7. KFWB is also now a talk station, tied for 38th with a 0.7.

Let me know how/if that changes your plan.

Also a question: What do you mean by "The ads I'm buying are ads targeted towards males"?

Now, I would have no choice but to keep KAMP since it's here and doing well. I could do things, either resurrect the abandoned hot talk format on KFWB, or bring it back to FM on KTWV and bring "The Wave" format to HD-2. Although, moving the format to AM would possibly bring younger demos, and make it a "unique" station among the L.A. dial.

Another reason why I would prefer FM is because supposedly, AM 980 has a weak signal?

Musicfan:
Okay...good. You're making strong, rational decisions, considering the profit picture, the welfare of the company and the employees.

KFWB's signal in and of itself isn't a problem, but the L.A. metro has grown so huge that it just can't be covered by 5kw at 980. So do you keep the syndicated talk and look for ways to maximize the profit while keeping costs low (better syndication, better promotion) or do you follow through with your earlier idea about selling KFWB?

The good news about the signal issue is that it pretty much applies to KABC, too (theirs is a bit better)...as does radiojomo's point about younger demos and AM.

That part is good news for you, because it might mean the Triplets won't be at KABC for long. They could be available in a year or so. How big a hurry are you in (as CBS L.A.'s Market Manager) to bring back Hot Talk?

 

[michael hagerty]

Jeez, MusicFan, I make you CBS/L.A. Market Manager on Thursday, and by Tuesday you've hired Carson Daly for mornings at AMP.... :

 

[musicfan101]

Jeez, MusicFan, I make you CBS/L.A. Market Manager on Thursday, and by Tuesday you've hired Carson Daly for mornings at AMP.... :

I REALLY wanted to hire Delilah to do mornings

 

[michael hagerty]

Jeez, MusicFan, I make you CBS/L.A. Market Manager on Thursday, and by Tuesday you've hired Carson Daly for mornings at AMP.... :

I REALLY wanted to hire Delilah to do mornings

I KNEW there was a sense of humor in there somewhere! You'll fit right in.

 

[michael hagerty]

Further developments, Musicfan:

The news page on this very site suggests that Stern isn't inclined to renew at Sirius and may be open to a return to terrestrial radio.

So...do you wait and see about Stern or do you rush to attempt to revive Hot Talk before you know about his (and the Triplets') long-term availability?

And are you still selling KFWB?

 

[michael hagerty]

You should probably also see what the boss (Dan Mason) has to say about AM...and more HD channels. It's in the news section today as well.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

Further developments, Musicfan:

The news page on this very site suggests that Stern isn't inclined to renew at Sirius and may be open to a return to terrestrial radio.

So...do you wait and see about Stern or do you rush to attempt to revive Hot Talk before you know about his (and the Triplets') long-term availability?

And are you still selling KFWB?

A return of Stern is the only way the rest of the Hot Talk clan will be back as a single format as well.

I suspected for a long time that Stern would return to commercial radio once his five year contract runs out for one simple reason - commercial radio can now give him more money that satellite radio can. Money talks, everything else walks. Of course, by going back to commercial radio he will also have more influence, and most of all for his ego, he can show that he CAN come back. That's a year's worth of material for him.

To stay with Sirius, he will have to take a pay cut and be stuck with a company that is literally hemoraging customers. A very bad combo.

I like his little bit that he has an offer that he doesn't think they would be interested in. I bet the offer is "You're so weak and I am so strong, why don't you just give me the company?" What else would they have that could entice him?

 

[musicfan101]

Further developments, Musicfan:

The news page on this very site suggests that Stern isn't inclined to renew at Sirius and may be open to a return to terrestrial radio.

So...do you wait and see about Stern or do you rush to attempt to revive Hot Talk before you know about his (and the Triplets') long-term availability?

And are you still selling KFWB?

Aw man! This is a tough one! I mean, if I did launch a hot talk station now, and had assurance that Stern wants to sign with the company, I guess I could market the fact that Stern is coming to the station - but for the time being have Mancow or some other syndicated talent fill in the slot now?

Or, I could just wait.....

I do have a question though, isn't FHF on a lease rather than a contract, just so they could fund their podcasts?

KFWB? No question, sell it. Maybe I could talk to Bonneville about trading 980 for 100.3? I heard on the Atlanta board about Bonneville "possibly" swapping KSWD with Citadel...

 

[michael hagerty]

Further developments, Musicfan:

The news page on this very site suggests that Stern isn't inclined to renew at Sirius and may be open to a return to terrestrial radio.

So...do you wait and see about Stern or do you rush to attempt to revive Hot Talk before you know about his (and the Triplets') long-term availability?

And are you still selling KFWB?

Aw man! This is a tough one! I mean, if I did launch a hot talk station now, and had assurance that Stern wants to sign with the company, I guess I could market the fact that Stern is coming to the station - but for the time being have Mancow or some other syndicated talent fill in the slot now?

Or, I could just wait.....

I do have a question though, isn't FHF on a lease rather than a contract, just so they could fund their podcasts?

KFWB? No question, sell it. Maybe I could talk to Bonneville about trading 980 for 100.3? I heard on the Atlanta board about Bonneville "possibly" swapping KSWD with Citadel...

Musicfan:
Here's where I get to be the ad community and/or CBS stockholders:

Stern will get listeners (we think). A year of promoting Stern won't. Fill the slot with Mancow and you have what got KLSX killed...an expensive format without an overbilling morning show to carry the frieght.

Better to keep the low-cost, good billing Wave and bank the profits in the meantime.

I don't know the details on FHF at KABC. If someone does and would like to share, that would be helpful.

KFWB is likely to be profitable now that most of the costs have been hollowed out. Could be tough finding a buyer who'd pay enough, who could get financing and who poses no competitive threat to CBS' interests.

A trade gets you around the cash and financing issues, but there are two problems with your KSWD idea...it's worth far more than KFWB, Bonneville would have no reason to want to trade from a good FM signal to a challenged AM as it's only L.A. property...and the FCC only allows you to own 5 FMs in the market...and you already do.

 

[michael hagerty]

You're right. That's three problems, not two..

By the way, your 5 FMs (Jack, The Wave, AMP, K-Earth and KROQ) all have as good or better signals than KSWD. So there's no upside in swapping one of them.

And as far as Stern's intention: Nothing is certain in radio until there's a signed contract. Assuming CBS did get one, the terms of Howard's existing contract with XM/Sirius might prohibit you from promoting his arrival until he's off the satellite.

CBS didn't have that provision when he left and his final months were one big Sirius promo. If I were them, I'd have made sur he couldn't do the same thing to Sirius when he leaves.

 

[musicfan101]

You're right. That's three problems, not two..

By the way, your 5 FMs (Jack, The Wave, AMP, K-Earth and KROQ) all have as good or better signals than KSWD. So there's no upside in swapping one of them.

And as far as Stern's intention: Nothing is certain in radio until there's a signed contract. Assuming CBS did get one, the terms of Howard's existing contract with XM/Sirius might prohibit you from promoting his arrival until he's off the satellite.

CBS didn't have that provision when he left and his final months were one big Sirius promo. If I were them, I'd have made sur he couldn't do the same thing to Sirius when he leaves.

Another question would be, what if he does go back to CBS, what stations across the country would they put him on? Do you re-launch a national hot talk format once again? Are companies allowed to swap AM stations with FM stations? If so, I was saying CBS could give Bonneville 980, and CBS could get 100.3.